Electric Potential and Wave Nature of Matter

In summary, the electric potential difference can be calculated using the equations p=h/λ and ΔEK=qΔV, where p is the momentum of the electrons, h is Planck's constant, λ is the wavelength of the electrons, ΔEK is the change in kinetic energy, q is the charge of the electron, and ΔV is the electric potential difference. By plugging in the given values, the resulting electric potential difference is 15078.51948 V.
  • #1
quicksilver123
173
0

Homework Statement


An electric potential difference accelerates electrons from rest position towards a screen.
Just before striking the screen, the electrons have a wavelength of 1.0*10^-11 m
Find the electric potential difference.

Homework Equations



p=h/λ
ΔEK=qΔV

The Attempt at a Solution



p=h/λ
mv=h/λ
v=h/λm
v=(6.63*10^-34)/((1.0*10^-11)(9.11*10^-31))
v=72777167.95 m/s

ΔEK=qΔV
EK2-EK1=eΔV
0.5(9.11*10^-31)(72777167.95)^2 - 0.5(9.11*10^-31)(0)^2 = eΔV
ΔV=0.5(9.11*10^-31)(72777167.95)^2 / e
ΔV=15078.51948 V

Is this correct? (other than significant digits)
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Once again your v=(6.63*10^-34) / ( (1.0*10^-11) * (9.11*10^-31) )equation needs some parens

and your v result needs to be significant figure adjusted to be 7.28 x 10^7 m/s

similarly for the delta v result.

Again the physics looks right but someone at PF needs to second it for me.
 
  • #3
fixed.

the question wasn't asking for velocity so i didn't round it in order to get a more accurate result for electric potential difference
 

Related to Electric Potential and Wave Nature of Matter

1. What is electric potential?

Electric potential is a measure of the electrical potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electric field. It is a scalar quantity and is expressed in volts (V).

2. How does electric potential relate to electric field?

Electric potential is closely related to electric field. The electric field at a point is the negative gradient of the electric potential at that point. In other words, the electric field is the rate at which the electric potential changes with respect to distance.

3. What is the wave nature of matter?

The wave nature of matter is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that states that all matter has both particle-like and wave-like properties. This means that particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons can exhibit behaviors similar to waves, such as diffraction and interference.

4. How is the wave nature of matter related to electric potential?

The wave nature of matter is related to electric potential through the Schrödinger equation, which describes how the wave function of a particle evolves over time in the presence of an electric potential. The electric potential affects the behavior of the particle's wave function, resulting in different probabilities for the particle's position and momentum.

5. Can electric potential be negative?

Yes, electric potential can be negative. This means that the electric potential energy of a charged particle at that point is negative, indicating that the particle has lost potential energy as it moved towards that point in the electric field. However, the magnitude of the electric potential is more important than its sign, as it is the difference in potential between two points that determines the direction and strength of the electric field.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
34
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
8K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
16
Views
7K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
817
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
3K
Back
Top